Gardner's Art Through the Ages: Paleolithic and Neolithic

Old Stone Age

Monumental architecture employing massive rough-cut stones

Three-dimensional artwork created by shaping or combining hard materials - typically stone - or marble, metal, glass, or wood. Softer ("plastic") materials can also be used, such as clay, textiles, plastics, polymers and softer metals.

anthropological term referencing a range of beliefs and practices regarding communication with the spiritual world.

Feline headed humanHuman with feline head, from Hohlenstein-Stadel, Germany, ca. 30,000–28,000 BCE. Mammoth ivory, 11 5/8” high. Ulmer Museum, Ulm.

Venus of Willendorf or Woman of WillendorfNude woman (Venus of Willendorf), from Willendorf, Austria, ca. 28,000–25,000 BCE. Limestone, approx. 4 1/4” high. Naturhistorisches Museum, Vienna

Hall of the Bulls (left wall), Lascaux, Dordogne, France, ca. 15,000–13,000 BCE. Largest bull approx. 11’ 6” long

Rhinoceros, wounded man, and disemboweled bison, painting in the well, Lascaux, Dordogne, France, ca. 15,000–13,000 BCE. Bison approx. 3’ 8” long.

Stonehenge, Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire, England, aerial view, ca. 2550-1600 BCE. Circle is 97' in diameter; trilithons approx. 24' high.Megalith site

Horse and Sun Chariot c. 1800 - 1600 BCE. Bronze, length 231/4" (59.2 cm). National Museum, Copenhagen

Neolithic = New Stone Age
from c. 8,00 BC - 3,000 BC
Man moves from chasing natue to controlling nature
Agriculture: Domestication of plants and animals from hunting and gatherin to farming and animal herds
From nomadic existence

Woman holding a bison horn, from Laussel, Dordogne, France, ca. 25,000-20,000 B.C. PAINTED LIMESTONE, APPROX. 1' 6" HIGH. MUSE'E D'AQUITAINE, BORDEAUX.
A relief sculpture of a nude woman with exaggerated breasts, abdomen, and hips.

Spotted horses and negative hand imprints, wall painting in the cave at Pech-Merle, Lot, France, ca. 22,000 BCE. Approx. 11’ 2” long.

Earliest town on EarthTurkey (pro. Chattle Hooyuck)
c. 6,000 BC

Landscape with volcanic erupion over the town

Wall painting from a house at Catal Huyuk, Turkey
perspective foverlooking town and volcano -- perspective off